My Watercolor Palette – A Magical Palette of Hues

Is this watercolor? I am often asked. It looks like oils it is so rich!

I am often asked what colors I use to create my luminous and transparent reality. It is not a straightforward answer. But one of the main reasons my work looks as if the subject has a presence is because I use a multi-layered technique using transparent or semi-transparent watercolor.

Why?

Because they allow our paintings to glow. Think of several fine layers of color, laid one on top of the other. Each one will be influenced by those laid beneath them. The final color glows like a jewel because the colors are unsullied by opaque pigment.

I will share my magical palette of hues below. But first – let me explain a very important factor when choosing pigments: Not all hues are equal! The same names are often used by the color houses for very different colors. They are not interchangeable. For instance Indian Yellow in one brand is very opaque – but in the brand I use – it is very transparent. Transparent colors are crucial in the success of unsullied color using my methods.

These are Schmincke colors and are available at many of the large art supply stores:

1. 208 Aureolin Modern

2. 220 Indian Yellow

3. 218 Translucent Orange

4. 363 Scarlet Red

5. 357 Alizarin Crimson

6. 351 Ruby Red

7. 367 Purple Magenta

8. 484 Phthalo blue

9. 494 Ultramarine Finest

10. 519 Phthalo Green

11. 530 Sap Green

12. 787 Paynes Grey Bluish

These can be bought individually or in a set that should be available in November 2009.

I have a few favorite mixes that I like to share on my DVDs and also with those on my workshops:

If your color is too strident or you simply wish to grey if off slightly – just mix a touch of the complementary color to it and voila – you have the perfect subdued color – that juxtaposed to other bright colors, will allow them to really sing.

You can dull a colour down to create beautiful grey – by simply adding more of the complementary color to a hue.

Complementary colors:

-Blue/Orange

-Orange/Blue

-Red/Green

-Green/Red

-Purple/Yellow

-Yellow/Purple

By using transparent colors you will not create mud. You can create browns and earth colors that will resemble mud in hue – but they will always glow beautifully from within.